COURSES:
Instrument Rating

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For any pilot an Instrument rating is a wise investment, but for the career pilot it will increase their skill level and make them more employable.

Effectively the rating allows you to fly in poorer weather, such as low visibility and in clouds or fog, providing you have a suitably rated aircraft.

In recent years the instrument rating has become more sought after. This is partly due to the increasing sophistication of modern helicopters. But also the insurance companies are demanding higher standards of pilots. Inadvertent entry into IMC (Instrument meteorological conditions) by unrated or non-current pilots is a leading cause of accidents and fatalities.

FAA Requirements

Federal regulations require you hold at least a current private pilot certificate. Have at least 50hrs cross-country flight time as PIC and a total of 40hrs actual or simulated instrument time before you can apply for the rating. In addition, we instruct why regulations in IFR are the way they are and how they come about.

The syllabus can be broken down into three stages as follows:

Stage I

We start the course with ground school to explain the principals of instrument flying which includes using charts & publications, instrument approaches procedures, attitude flying, rules, regulations and weather.

Along with the ground instruction the student will start to learn basic instrument flying and start to fly the different approach procedures available at the local airports.

Stage II

As the student progresses through their instrument training they will become more proficient with navigating in the IFR system. They will plan, file and fly long distance cross country flights and this experience will help them to become more comfortable and proficient in their communications with Approach, Departure and Tower controllers.

Students will continue to refine their instrument flying by practicing holding procedures, tracking and intercepting radials.

Stage III

The final stage will deal with emergencies such as radio failure and any other failures that you could encounter whilst flying in the IFR system. You will also review all parts of the Practical Test Standards to ready for the checkride.

Instrument Rating Costs

The following is based on the FAA minimums.

Dual Flight Instruction	40 hours	$315	$ 12,600
Ground Instruction	25 hours	$ 40	$ 1,000

Books, etc.			$ 120
Written Test Fee			$ 80
Checkride Examiners Fee			$ 350
Checkride Aircraft Rental			$ 440
TOTAL			$14,590

If your plan is to get a Commercial license, by taking the instrument rating after your Private license, you can count the hours towards the Commercial requirements.

'Add on" (for persons with airplane instrument rating)

A minimum of 15hrs of instrument flight training in the aircraft category sought.

Dual Flight Instruction	15 hours	$315	$ 4,725
Ground Instruction	5 hours	$ 40	$ 200

Checkride Examiners Fee			$ 350
Checkride Aircraft Rental			$ 440
TOTAL			$5,715

Hi-Tech Helicopters, Inc.
Office - 570-839-0550

Cell - 570-656-3780
FAX: 570-839-0556

info@hitechhelicopters.net